Uconn

Linebacker Smallwood gives credit where it's due BY ED DAIGNEAULTRepublican-American

Maryland head coach Randy Edsall, left, speaks with Connecticut head coach Paul Pasqualoni after an NCAA college football game in College Park, Md., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. Connecticut won 24-21. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — It has been impossible not to notice the play of UConn linebacker Yawin Smallwood. He recorded 14 tackles in Saturday's 24-21 victory at Maryland a week after making the same number of tackles against North Carolina State.

The kid is simply all over the place. But he figures he's noticed only because of the guys in front of him.

"The defensive line has been playing great all year," Smallwood said. "They're making my job easier, making the defense's job easier. They're out there making plays so the linebackers can make plays. They're not getting the credit they deserve."

They will now.

There wasn't any concern with the defensive end spots coming into the season but there was some question about how the Huskies would replace tackles Kendall Reyes and Twyon Martin, especially with Shamar Stephen sidelined with a knee injury for the first two games.

That forced former backup Ryan Wirth into a starting role and also put redshirt freshman Julian Campenni and redshirt sophomore Angelo Pruitt into tough situations.

All of them have been playing well, especially Wirth, who has become a favorite of coach Paul Pasqualoni. Wirth made six tackles Saturday.

"Ryan Wirth, to me, played that way in his first game," Pasqualoni said. "We talk about Yawin, but Ryan's put together three (good games) in a row now, too."

Stephen returned to action for the first time Saturday, working into the rotation. He may not work into a starting role any time soon given how well Wirth and Co. have played. Wirth is certainly making the most of his opportunity. The redshirt senior who played at Cheshire Academy spent the first three years of his career playing limited time in a backup role.

Now he's an anchor.

"I don't know who wouldn't take advantage of the opportunity," Wirth said. "You don't have anything guaranteed. Kendall and Twyon were great guys and I learned a lot from them. I play as hard as I can. That's all I can do."

Hurting: Most of UConn's health issues Saturday were of a temporary nature. One, however, could potentially be a devastating loss.

Senior defensive end Jesse Joseph left the game in the second half with what was initially thought to be an Achilles injury. He departed Byrd Stadium with a walking boot on his left foot and crutches, though he was not using the crutches.

"That didn't look good to me," Pasqualoni said. "That's going to be a tough one. If we lose Jesse, that will be big."

The Huskies played without cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson and offensive lineman Adam Masters, two of their four captains. Wreh-Wilson sustained what Pasqualoni said was a slight hamstring pull in practice Thursday.

Wreh-Wilson was in uniform and participated in pregame drills but Pasqualoni elected to keep him out of the game.

Masters was felled by a stomach bug that struck the Huskies late in the week. A number of other Huskies were feeling the effects of it, Smallwood and Moore included, but managed to play through it. Gus Cruz took Masters' place at right guard.

"We spend a lot of time together in the facility," Wirth said. "One person gets sick and everybody gets sick."

Digging Diggs: Pasqualoni was impressed with the play of Maryland freshman receiver Stefon Diggs, as was everybody in the stadium. Diggs, one of the most highly recruited players in the country last year, rolled up 223 all-purpose yards, which is 18 more yards than Maryland had offensively.

Diggs caught three passes for 57 yards, including a touchdown off a tipped pass that required extremely quick hands to grab. He had five punt returns for 68 yards and 98 more yards on kickoff returns.

"Stefon is a very dynamic player," Maryland coach Randy Edsall said. "I love the kid. I love how he comes to practice and how he competes. ... We have to continually try and get him the ball."

Extra points: Nick Williams' 58-yard punt return for a touchdown was the first of his career. He has returned two kickoffs for scores ... Lyle McCombs had a season-high 94 rushing yards ... Masters' absence meant little rotation along the offensive line. Alex Mateas and Tyler Bullock switched out at center but that was it ... Edsall's record at Maryland drops to 4-11 ... A sizeable contingent of UConn fans made the trip and they were loud.

Follow Us

Post a reader comment

We encourage your feedback and dialog. Please be civil and respectful.If you're witty, to the point and quotable, your reader comments may also be included on the Around the Towns page of The Sunday Republican. Readers must be registered and logged in to post comments on the site. Registration is free. Click Here to register.
A Subscription is not required to post comments only a Registration.